Faiz

After years of loving care at home, Asma and Neveed came to a difficult conclusion: that their son, Faiz, the eldest of five, would benefit from a residential school program. By age nine, Faiz was unable to speak and prone to self-injury. But when his parents sought support from the Robert J. McMahon Children’s Center and the on-campus Tyree Learning Center last year, everything began to change.

Upon arrival, recalls teacher Andrea Verios, “Faiz had no way to communicate. He was frustrated, sad and defiant, hitting his own face incessantly.” But in the Tyree Learning Center’s structured environment, Faiz flourished.

Andrea implemented a picture exchange system (PECS) book filled with sentence-starters like “I want,” “I see” or “I need” – and it unlocked the world for Faiz. Gaining the ability to communicate changed everything. In the classroom, Faiz earns prized rewards for his progress, such as balls or trampoline time. And he has developed a close relationship with his roommate.

Faiz is also gaining real independence, from putting on his shoes to setting the table for lunch, to proudly fetching the backpack and medical bag for weekly field trips to the park or library. “We’re working on financial concepts,” explains Andrea, “and he handles the trip money, taking real pride in making purchases for the group.”

Faiz goes home on weekends, where he uses PECS to do what had been impossible for the first nine years of his life: communicate with his own family. While home, he enjoys playing with his brothers and sisters, and loves to go outside into the community – something he had trouble doing in the past.

“It was a very hard decision to have him live away from home,” says Asma. “But for now, it’s the right place for him.”

Cathy Armstrong

I first came to know SCO twenty-five years ago. I was almost 19 at the time and I was organizing a Toy Drive with my church. I can still remember delivering the toys on a Sunday evening and getting to meet the children at the Robert J. McMahon Children’s Center. I remember being greeted with smiles and hugs from the kids. After that visit I knew immediately that I wanted to share my time and volunteer.

Why I support SCO

I love working with the children and helping make their holidays and graduations special…cooking Thanksgiving dinner, helping out at the Halloween parade, seeing them beam with pride at their graduation. I also know that I am making a difference by helping provide college packs for SCO kids going off to college and buying Christmas gifts for families in need.

What I love about SCO

As much as things have changed over the years, I know I can still walk into the Robert J. McMahon Children’s Center and be greeted with a smile and a hug! Some things never change.

Program Spotlight

For over 50 years, SCO's Foster Care practice has been helping children and their families grow, heal and thrive. We find safe, temporary families for children and teens throughout New York City and Long Island.

Crisis Respite

This program provides timely respite services for families in Queens coping with children who have a serious emotional disturbance. The child is temporarily placed with a respite family so their family can take advantage of some time needed to attend to other issues.

Who Can Benefit from this Program

Families/foster care providers in which a youth with SED needs a temporary separation from his/her current living situation.